HISTORIC ALLFIRST ANNAPOLIS

When Allfirst Bank was forced to give up space in a State-owned building in the Historic District, they found the short term relocation to an old building across the street to be a more permanent move than they had anticipated. The 1700’s building would need comprehensive redesign and retrofits to house a number of banking activities within an awkward footprint while providing accessibility to the several levels that make up the Ground Floor. We resolved the accessibility issue with an inclined platform lift and addressed other interior design challenges to accommodate 21st century banking. The Historic Preservation Commission imposed strict guidelines on how the exterior could be altered to accommodate a new ATM, which we artfully integrated into an entrance vestibule. The condition of the building also produced challenges but the end product of our design work is a facility that works well as a bank, addresses the needs of the disabled and preserves an historically authentic building.